Ofcom has opened a public consultation on its revised proposal for Channel 4 Television Corporation's (C4C) Made outside England (MoE) quotas for hours and spend. This aims to create a balance between allowing C4C more future flexibility to develop its content and distribution strategy in support of its digital transformation, while continuing to secure its investment in distinctive UK content and the delivery of the core elements of its linear output on Channel 4. The consultation will close on 16 August 2024.

Ofcom has published its 2025–26 strategic approach to artificial intelligence, setting out how it supports safe AI innovation across the communications sectors it regulates and how it integrates AI into its own operations. The strategy, released on 6 June 2025, highlights how regulated industries, including telecoms, broadcasting and postal services, are leveraging AI to improve services, from automated content moderation and network management to delivery optimisation. Ofcom maintains a technology-neutral stance to foster innovation while remaining alert to associated risks. To support innovation, Ofcom continues its collaboration with Digital Catapult through SONIC Labs to test AI in mobile networks, provides spectrum data sets for AI training, and engages in regulatory alignment through the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum alongside the CMA, FCA and ICO.

Ofcom has announced new consumer protection rules to ensure customers must be told upfront in pounds and pence about any price rises their provider includes in their contract. This bans mid-contract price rises linked to inflation, and follows the December 2023 general conditions. Guidance to accompany the new rules and assist providers to comply, including examples of how providers could present any in-contract price rises at the point of sale, has also been published. It will be necessary for providers to draw information about in-contract price rises, and when the changes may occur, information to the customer’s attention prominently before they are bound by the contract, in a clear and coherent manner to help them make an informed choice. Providers can increase their prices during the contract period and the new rules do not restrict their ability to set the level of their prices. However, they will prohibit providers from including inflation-linked, or percentage-based, price rise terms that apply to the Core Subscription Price in new contracts. The new rules and guidance will apply to new contracts from 17 January 2025.

Ofcom has published a report in response to the streaming of the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York on BitChute in 2022, which breached Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003. Ofcom voiced its concerns about Bitchute’s on-platform reporting functions only being available to registered users and its content management team being small and working short hours, which prevented it from responding to urgent incidents like streaming harmful content like terrorist attacks. Since then, BitChute has responded by enhancing its safety measures, allowing non-registered users to report harmful content, tripling the size of its moderation team and increasing its working hours such that its safety team is operational 24/7. Ofcom closely monitors BitChute and if users are not being adequately protected from harmful content, Ofcom will take further action as necessary, including formal enforcement.

Ofcom has launched a consultation on its proposal to auction the upper block of the 1.4 GHz band (1492-1517 MHz) for 4G and 5G mobile use. This 25 MHz spectrum is expected to enhance mobile service performance, particularly in areas with patchy coverage such as indoors and rural locations. The proposal aims to build upon the existing 40 MHz of 1.4 GHz spectrum (1452-1492 MHz) already deployed by mobile network operators in the UK. Ofcom is seeking responses to the consultation by 25 April 2025.

Ofcom has initiated a consultation on proposed changes to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the telecoms sector. The regulator aims to reduce the timeframe for consumers to access ADR from eight weeks to six weeks after lodging a complaint. Ofcom also plans to reapprove both existing ADR schemes (Communications Ombudsman and CISAS) with minor improvements and strengthen their Key Performance Indicators. The new ADR access timeframe is proposed to take effect six months after the final decision, while updated KPIs would be implemented three months post-decision. The consultation is open until 12 March 2025.

Ofcom has announced a consultation on proposed changes to Annual Licence Fees (ALFs) for mobile spectrum. The regulator aims to revise fees for 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz spectrum bands, resulting in a net reduction of approximately £40m per year for Mobile Network Operators. The proposed changes include a 21% reduction for 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum, and a 12% increase for 2100 MHz spectrum. Ofcom has set the consultation response deadline for 5pm 7 March 2025.

Ofcom has announced a proposed update to its general information gathering policy, reflecting new processes and additional powers acquired since 2005. The regulator has stated that this policy will explain how it exercises its statutory information gathering powers under various Acts, including the Communications Act 2003 and Postal Services Act 2011. Ofcom has clarified that the policy will not apply where separate guidance exists, such as for the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 and the upcoming Online Safety Act 2023 powers.

Ofcom has provided an update on its investigation into an unnamed provider of an online suicide forum under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), announcing that the provider has been placed on notice as Ofcom works towards issuing a provisional decision in Q1 2026 in relation to potential breaches of OSA 2023. Ofcom stated that it is prepared to seek a court order imposing business disruption measures if its concerns are not addressed and noted that financial penalties of up to £18m or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is higher, could be imposed. The investigation follows evidence that the forum remained accessible to UK users via a mirror site until at least 6 November 2025, despite the forum having implemented a UK IP address block on 1 July 2025.

Ofcom has published an update on progress following its July 2025 public service media (PSM) review, Transmission Critical. Ofcom says it will continue working with the government to develop proposals for legislative reform and will publish a consultation by the end of March 2027 on proposed changes to advertising, sponsorship and product placement rules. It also states that it will continue strengthening its evidence base by improving audience measurement, deepening its understanding of the factors driving visibility and engagement and undertaking further research into audience expectations and attitudes towards online content. The update also highlights the continuing shift towards third-party platforms and the importance of PSM content remaining accessible and discoverable as viewing habits change. The accompanying report notes that public service broadcasters are expanding their presence on platforms such as YouTube while Ofcom continues to assess whether further action may be needed.

Ofcom has provided an update on its ongoing investigation into X following reports that the platform’s Grok AI chatbot account was used to generate and share demeaning sexual deepfakes of real people, including children. After contacting X on 5 January 2026 and launching a formal investigation on 12 January 2026, Ofcom says that X has indicated it has since implemented measures to address the issue. Ofcom notes that it continues to work with the Information Commissioner’s Office, which has opened its own investigation. It also emphasised that the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) does not regulate all AI chatbots, noting that chatbots which only allow one-to-one interactions, do not search multiple websites or databases, and cannot generate pornographic content fall outside the scope of the OSA 2023. Even where certain chatbots are in scope, Ofcom adds that AI-generated images that are not shared between users or created via internet search are generally not covered unless they are pornographic or shareable.

Ofcom has issued an update on its investigation into an unnamed online suicide discussion forum, confirming that it is progressing the case as a priority after receiving evidence from Samaritans on 4 November 2025 indicating that the service remained accessible to UK users.